This thesis was commissioned by the Media workshop in the HAMK Education and Research Centre for Technological Industries. This thesis investigates the creation of a Google Maps API based on a 360 degree panorama application. The project was to compose nine individual panorama applications with 159 panorama images of nine different buildings. To achieve this, photographs were taken from seven different locations. The applications were compiled using the JavaScript programming language. All of the nine HAMK panorama applications were prepared in the HAMK Media workshop during summer 2013.

A key role of this thesis was to clarify how the Google Maps API can be applied when building one’s own panorama application. The thesis investigates what kind of know-how and technological preparation a panorama application requires. The research approach of this thesis was to investigate how to take panorama images with a digital SLR camera and how these images are prepared by using the Adobe Photoshop PhotomergeTM functions. The startup of Google Maps API falls outside the scope of this thesis.

This study used existing data and online materials on the Google Maps API. Photography and digital SLR camera technology was studied by analyzing written and online sources. The questions that arose during the project were how panorama images are made and how these images can be compiled using Google Maps API.

As a result, nine working applications were prepared that focused on good visual looks and a high quality end result. In the near future these applications will be embed into HAMK UAS’ web pages.